David l barnett



.T .m Nm R vAm BN Till-E D Patented Apr. Z5, 1893. j'

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no.. wAsHwmou n c UNITED STATES DAVID I. BARNETT, OF TORONTO, CANADA.

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SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters LOPE.

Patent No. 496,385, dated April 25, 1893.

Application iiled November 18, 1892. Serial No. 452,458. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

`Be it known that I, DAVID IRVINE BAR- NETT, of the city of Toronto, in the county of York and Province of Ontario, Canada, havey invented a certain new and useful Reversible Envelope; and l hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the same.

This invention relates to a reversible envelope more particularly designed for the transmission and return of samples; and the object of the invention is to construct an envelope which can be cheaply and readily man' ufactured, and which will comply with the post office regulations governing the carriage ofsamples through the mails, and which will securely retain possession of its contents until they are extracted by the party receiving the package ;-and the invention consists essentially of a wrapper or case open at both ends ;-a central dividing-Wall'separating the interior of the wrapper or case into two or more conten'ts-receiving-pockets in which are adapted to be inserted the articles for transmission ;-the central dividing-wall te'rminat A ing at both ends in a iiap each of which is adapted to fold over and close its respective end of the envelope5-a fastening deviceto securely lock together the said flaps, said fastening device being so constructed that it can be readily undone and refastened; the Whole device being constructed and operated as hereinafter more fully set forth and more particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings, Figure l is a perspective view of my improved reversible envelope showing the wrapper, the central dividing Wall separating the wrapper into two or more contents-receiving-pockets also showing the central dividing-wall terminating at each end in a iiap and the fastening device to secure the flaps together. Fig. 2 is aplan View showing the reversible envelope closed and the liaps locked together. Fig. 3 is a view of the alternate form of fastening device forthe iiaps. Fig. 4 is a cross sectional view.

Like numerals of reference refer to like parts throughout the specification and draw- Ings.

The reversible envelope consists of a wrapper l of any size convenient vfor the purpose intendedand made of any suitable material. The opposite meeting edges respectively l", lb, overlap each other and are gu in med, sealed or otherwise fastened together. The ends respectively 1C and ld, of the wrapper are open as shown in the drawings.v

Located within the wrapper 1, is a central dividing-wall 2, nearly equal in width to the interior width of the wrapper l. This `central dividing Wall projects beyond each end respectively lc and la, the wrapper 1, to form \the flaps respectively and 4.

It will be noticed by referring to the drawings that the central dividing-wall 2, separates the wrapper l, into two contents-receivingpockets respectively 5 and 6, only one of which is made use of kat a time. We will suppose for example thatthe pocket 5 is in use and contains samples orother merchandise or materialg-the central dividing-Wall forms one side of the contents-receivingpocket 5, while that portion of the Wrapper marked a, forms the other side. The flaps respectively 3 and 4,as hereinbefore stated are arranged to be folded on either side of the said Wrapper and in this case the flaps 3 and 4, will be folded over on the side marked a, in order to close the open ends of the wrapper to prevent the emission of the contents. When it is desired to use the pocket 6, the the central dividing-wall 2, forms one side of the pocket while that portion of the wrapper marked, b, forms the other side. The iiaps in this case being folded upon the side marked b, in order to close the ends of the wrapper when pocket 6, contains the contents. The outer side of the wrapper is arranged also to be addressed on either side to different parties. We will suppose for example that a firm is utilizing the wrapper for sending samples to a customer. 1n this case the name and address of the customer would be writ-V ten on the side of the envelope marked b, and the sample inserted in the pocket 5, the flaps 3 and 4 folded over on the side marked c, and fastened together by the device shown in the drawings and hereinafter explained, or by any other device which can be as readily operated. The customer after receiving the package extracts the samples from the pocket 5, and when returning places them in the pocket marked G, and folds the iaps over the ends ofthe said pocket on the side of the envelope marked b, writing the address of the party to whom he sends the package upon the side a, and fastens the flaps by the device provided forthe purpose. By this means one envelope may be utilized t'or transmission and return, and the sender before dispatching the package can have the address written 0r otherwise marked upon the envelope on that side marked l), in order to insure its safe return.

The fastening device which is shown in Figs. 1 and 2, consists of a slit 7, extending from the edge of the iiap inwardly and forwardly toward its middle and front and preferably at an acute angle to its side, the said slit terminating in a rounded or enlarged hole 8, the opposite edge of the second Hap having a corresponding slit, inclined in the opposite direction but at the same angle. The interlocking of these slits securely tastens the flaps 3 and et, together as far as all practical purposes are concerned.

In Fig. 3, I have shown an alternative form of fastening-device, which consists of a hook 9, secured to one flap which enters a hole or opening 10, madein the opposite Hap to receive it. I may however, use any other form of fastening device which I find convenient for that purpose, such as a paper fastener, a seal, dce. This envelope is more particularly designed for samples, though I may, if I so desire employ the envelopefor any other pur pose to which it can be applied. It is also possible to withdraw the central dividing-Wall from the wrapper or case when such wrapper or case is used up and insert the central dividing-wall into a new wrapper or case, thus curtailing a considerable portion of the expense.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

l. A reversible envelope comprising a case open at both ends, a central dividing-wall within the case separating the envelope into two contents-receiving-pockets, a flap at each end ot' the central dividing-wall adapted to close the open endsvof the envelope substantially as and for the purposes specified.

2. A reversible envelope comprisinga case open at bot-h ends, a central dividing-Wall within the case separating the envelope into two contents-receiving pockets a flap at each end of the central dividing-wall adapted to close the open ends of the envelope and means for fastening said flaps substantially as specified.

A reversible envelope comprisinga case open at both ends, a central dividing-Wall within the case separating the envelope into two contents-receiving-pockets a Hap at each end ot' the central dividing-wall adapted to close the open ends of the envelope, a fastening device to secure said flaps comprising a slit formed in each of said flaps and extendinginwardly and forwardly from the edge and arranged at an angle thereto, the said slits being cut from the opposite edges of said flaps substantially as and for the purposes specified.

Toronto, November 5, 1892.

D. I. BARNETT.

In presence ofn C. Il. RIcHEs, M. E. ANGELI.. 

